Match Thread vs. Hartlepool United 10.04.21 [NL]

[legs77]

And Ruben cant even get on....

Yep he should be in ahead of Griffiths for sure.

I think we might go to a back 4 and play Chicksen at LB and get Ruben and Enzio wide.

[KCNotts]

And Ruben cant even get on....

I wonder if Laddo still thinks we will sell Ruben and Kelly Evans on for thousands?

[Elite_Pie]

I love that he tried to change it when he saw it wasn't working.

But why did he have to change it, and why wasn't it working? I can only think it was down to his original team selection and tactics.

I don't want to crucify the bloke this early, but I can only comment on what I see, and so far under him it's been pretty poor.

[MAD_MAGPIE]

I also agree that it wasn’t terrible, to be fair. We were simply beaten by a better team.

Absolutely agree. They were better than us at many things overall particularly in the first half that I've mentioned already.

I would give the manager some degree of credit today as he showed boldness to make changes to shape and personnel from after the first half an hour. The goal right before half time knocked us, but we were much better second half and he made positive substitutions.

The loss of Cal Roberts was a big big blow to him as an individual and the club, especially at a point when it looked like things were turning in the game for us. After then it was always going to be an uphill battle particularly with ten men.

[jackal2]

And Ruben cant even get on....

We definitely need to find a way to get Ruben in the side because he brings creativity and a goal threat. Yes he's still adapting to the English game and goes missing at times, but he isn't going to adapt any quicker by sitting on the bench, and it isn't as though we've got a host of other creative, goal-scoring midfielders to choose from, especially now Roberts is out again. If Rodrigues is in the team, we either win, or he learns, which either way should be beneficial in the long run.

[matt_magpie]

Annoying thing for me on the odd occasion we put pressure on their defence and keeper they did look shaky but we just let them have it their way too much, I didn't think they looked a great side but we were poor on the whole. I think realistically we have a squad that should be 4th or 5th whether that's Ardleys or the owners fault it doesn't really matter now.

[jacobncfc]

Absolutely agree. They were better than us at many things overall particularly in the first half that I've mentioned already.

I would give the manager some degree of credit today as he showed boldness to make changes to shape and personnel from after the first half an hour. The goal right before half time knocked us, but we were much better second half and he made positive substitutions.

The loss of Cal Roberts was a big big blow to him as an individual and the club, especially at a point when it looked like things were turning in the game for us. After then it was always going to be an uphill battle particularly with ten men.

Indeed. The inquest should be about why a club with a much smaller squad and presumably budget has a much better team. I think the owners have already made their mind up there and that’s why we now have a head coach rather than a manager.

[KCNotts]

We’re no better because we’re about where we should be with the squad we have. If anything, we’re a bit above to be honest. The reason we’ve changed manager (and to a head coach at that) is because the squad we have is unbalanced, too old and too slow - there’s not much point judging anything before mid-way through next season.

I'd agree. We have assembled a very average side for the budget we have. Knight looked very raw today and is not going to rescue our season like Roberts did last year.

We need a clear out, starting with the remnants of the relegation season. We need to rebuild the midfield and sign a proper partner for Wootton. We also need a new set of wing backs as Enzio playing back they makes me wince. McCrory is finished and the jury is out on Chicksen. Barnett can't pass and DKE is the most overrated player we've had for years.

[legs77]

Absolutely agree. They were better than us at many things overall particularly in the first half that I've mentioned already.

I would give the manager some degree of credit today as he showed boldness to make changes to shape and personnel from after the first half an hour. The goal right before half time knocked us, but we were much better second half and he made positive substitutions.

The loss of Cal Roberts was a big big blow to him as an individual and the club, especially at a point when it looked like things were turning in the game for us. After then it was always going to be an uphill battle particularly with ten men.

I agree with all of this.

[BigFatPie]

Without wishing to sound like a drama queen, this has got to be the worse Notts squad I’ve had the misfortune of watching, worse than the one which was relegated. We’re a nothing team, mediocre in defence and up front with a non existent midfield.

Our one hope of promotion limped off injured. Burchnall and the owners have a massive job of overhauling the playing staff over the summer.